Warren, Michigan, Moves Closer to Allowing Recreational Marijuana Retailers
The Warren City Council has given initial approval to an ordinance that would permit recreational marijuana retail establishments in the city. The unanimous vote on Tuesday night paves the way for the first recreational marijuana retail stores to open in Warren, Michigan’s third-largest city.
Under the proposed ordinance, recreational marijuana retail establishments would be allowed in industrial or heavy commercial zones, with restrictions on their proximity to schools, residential areas, libraries, parks, and religious institutions. The ordinance still needs to be approved in a second reading before it can take effect.
The move comes as the city seeks to resolve a long-standing lawsuit involving medical marijuana applicants. The city has allowed recreational marijuana processors, growers, secure transporters, and labs, but not retailers, for several years. The ordinance aims to put an end to the lawsuit and allow the city to move forward with issuing licenses to recreational marijuana retailers.
Councilman Jonathan Lafferty noted that the desire to open marijuana retailers in Warren may not be as strong as it once was, but the ordinance would still allow for a limited number of businesses to operate in the city. He emphasized that business owners would need to consider whether their enterprise is strong enough to compete in an already established market.
Warren Mayor Lori Stone expressed appreciation for the effort to resolve the lawsuit and move forward with the ordinance. She acknowledged that there has been “market saturation” of recreational marijuana facilities in other communities and is eager to see how much interest there is in the Warren market.
The ordinance is expected to be approved in a second reading at a future meeting, allowing recreational marijuana retail establishments to open in Warren for the first time.
